RILA Member Companies Pledge Aid for Those Affected By Hurricane Sandy

Donations swirl as communities get back on their feet

Arlington
,
VA
-
11/8/2012

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Retailers
have banded together to help those devastated by last week’s Hurricane Sandy.
Pledges of over $62 million were made by businesses for aid mobilizing those
affected. The super storm affected 16 states in the Eastern United States
during the week of Oct. 29, 2012 and directly affected millions of citizens who
were customers and employees of many of the retailers among the Retail Industry
Leaders Association (RILA) membership.

Retailers
and consumer product manufacturers are often on the front lines when a natural
disaster strikes, aiding in relief efforts and pledging donations for local
communities to get back on their feet.

RILA
members have pledged over $6 million in cash and in-kind donations to aid in
the recovery effort. Products donated ranged from clothing to gift cards to
electronics. In addition, some retailers also offered store locations as
donation sites for the general public to drop off personal donations and goods.

“Retailers are a part of the communities in which they operate and
they care deeply about the challenges that their employees and customers serve
face in the wake of this terrible storm," said
RILA President, Sandy Kennedy. “The
retail industry is overwhelmingly committed to helping those affected by this
devastating event and stands united to do our part.”

RILA
is the trade association of the world’s largest and most innovative retail
companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers,
and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in
annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores,
manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.